College can be, and often is, quite challenging; count on it and plan for it. During this time of transition, and throughout college, there are several offices on campus that can offer students assistance. In particular, the staff of Counseling Services and Disability Services are happy to provide students with support throughout their career at RMC. Sometimes it helps to know there is a safe place and a safe person to consult with, as students seek to address the challenges they encounter during college.
New Students Planning for Success
Resources for Success
Familiarize yourself with campus resources prior to coming to campus. The following are excellent resources for students to take advantage of:
- Higgins Academic Center, including Disability Services and Orientation Captains
- Counseling Services
- Student Health
- Academic Advisors
- Dean of Students
- Housing/Residential Life and Resident Advisors
- Campus Safety
- Edge Career Center
- Office of the Chaplain
- Financial Aid
- Office of International Education
Guidelines for Students With a History of Emotional and Psychological Concerns
These guidelines are offered to help students who either have had past mental health concerns or who currently are dealing with mental health challenges, while preparing for the transition to college:
- Start planning now for a healthy transition to college. Prevention works and helps ensure success.
- Meet with your psychiatrist, medical doctor, and/or mental health professional to:
- review medications you are currently taking
- identifying an appropriate means of securing refills (consult with RMC Student Health)
- discuss anticipated stresses related to the transition to college life and leaving home
- develop relapse prevention strategies.
- Prior to coming to school, consult with Counseling Services and Disability Services staff about campus and local resources; including, when appropriate, academic or environmental accommodations.
- As warranted, register with Disability Services prior to starting school. Appropriate documentation will need to be provided to DS. Even if a student never makes use of an accommodation, it can be helpful to be registered with DS and to know they have accommodations available as an appropriate option.
- If you are a local resident, consider continuing to meet periodically with your mental health professional during your first semester at college rather than starting counseling with someone new and adding to the stress and changes you are experiencing.
- Consult with RMC Health Center should you need medication monitoring or refills. Do not wait until you run out or until you have symptoms; make contact with Student Health early! Take your medication as prescribed. Be careful to not self-medicate using alcohol, other drugs, or food.
- Develop a stress management plan and plan to get adequate sleep. Increased stress and decreased sleep often are factors in the recurrence or exacerbation of mental health concerns. Inversely, getting adequate, good quality sleep (and doing so consistently) is one of the best ways to manage mental health concerns.
- Have a plan to follow if symptoms of your condition begin to recur or intensify. Respond quickly rather than putting off action. This can help you feel better more quickly and minimize the possible negative impact of a relapse on academic and social activities.
- Contact Counseling Services at (804) 752-7270 and/or Disability Services at (804) 752-7343 and make an appointment; a staff member will assist you in developing your action plan.